Inflated truss pad



Sept. 16, 1947.

C. W. BROOKS INFLATED TRUSS PAD Filed March 28, 1946 INVENTOR. C Wrock's,

Patented Sept. 16, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim. 1

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved truss orhernia pad. The invention will be best understood by a consideration ofthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional View, illustrating the action of thepad when the hernia is not under abnormal internal pressure, and,

Figure 2 is a sectional perspective, illustrating the action of the padwhen the hernia i under abnormal internal pressure.

Like numerals designate corresponding parts in all of the figures of thedrawing.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a supportingdevice for the abdominal walls which will cover a much greater area thanis common in devices of this kind. In other words, instead of merelyproviding a plug to closely conform to the area of the orifice in theabdomianl wall, this device covers a considerable area of the abdominalwall and supports it in such manner as to yield to fit the conditionswhich may eXist at any given moment.

The device of the invention comprises an annular member 5, which may beof rubber of such thickness as to render it relatively stiff. This ringis spanned by two flexible and more or less elastic diaphragms, theouter diaphragm being indicated at 6, and the inner diaphragm beingindicated at l. The inner diaphragm is preferably made thinner at itscentral portion than at its outer portion. The structure as a whole maybe held in place in any of the ways commonly employed for holdingtrusses in place, such as belts, body embracing clips, or the like.

The ring 5 is made stout enough and with enough firmness that whenapplied with slight pressure to the surface of the abdomen, the areaconfined therein will have a tendency to draw the underlying muscles andtissues toward the abdominal orifice and thus assist nature in healingit. The ring 5 with the two diaphragms comprises a cup-like member thatis inverted over the wound, yet each diaphragm functions independentlyof the other, and together they constitute a pneumatic bulb, the outerdiaphragm being provided with an inflation valve 8, through which airmay be injected into the space between the two diaphragms. When byexertion, or other internal pressure, there is a tendency for theintestines 9 to be forced outwardly through the abdominal opening orrent, the inflated bulb gently gives way and recedes, providing spacefor the. hernia to breathe, until the pressure from within has subsided.The pressure exerted against the abdominal wall by the rim of theinverted cup is always greater than the pressure exerted by the elasticinflated diaphragms. When the internal pressure has subsided, thepneumatic pressure, together with the contracting diaphragms, gentlyreplace the intestines to normal position.

The graduation of the inner diaphragm from a condition of relativethinness, at its center, to a thicker outer portion, causes this innerdiaphragm to form the shape of a nipple to thereby more easily conformto the shape of the hernia. Further, by making the inner diaphragm, inpart, thinner, and consequently more yieldable than the outer diaphragm,this inner diaphragm yields first to the tendency of the intestines tomove outwardly, and thus the application of pressure is rendered verygentle and gradual. The other diaphragm yields more slowly and only asthe internal pressure within the body becomes more acute.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the preciseconstruction set forth, but that it includes within its purview,whatever chan es fairly come within either the terms or the spirit ofthe appended claim,

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

A pad. of the character described comprising a ring-like rim of rubberor equivalent soft material having a rounded inner edge adapted to fitagainst the flesh of the wearer, and a pair of flexible air tightdiaphragms integral with said ring and spanning the space embraced bysaid ring, the outermost of said diaphragms being of arch formation andrelatively stiff, and the inner of said diaphragms being much thinner atits central portion than around its outer portions, and means forintroducing air pressure between said diaphragms.

CHARLES W. BROOKS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

